Could the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season become the most competitive season in recent years?

It certainly is turning out that way.

Sunday afternoon before a crowd of 152,000 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Carl Edwards became the third different winner in as many races to win on the Sprint Cup Series circuit this season.

Edwards took advantage of a mistake in the pits by Tony Stewart’s crew and then powered his No. 99 Ford across the finish line 1.246 seconds ahead of Stewart’s No. 14 Chevrolet to win the Kobalt Tools 400.

Carl Edwards does his trademark backflip after winning for the second time at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Courtesy photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images.

The victory also gave Edwards some redemption after his pole-winning car was knocked out of the race last weekend at Phoenix.

During a late-race pit stop, Edwards took the lead from Stewart during a cycle of pit stops when Stewart was penalized for dragging an air wrench from his stall under caution on Lap 155.

Stewart ended up finishing the race in second and posted his eighth top-10 finish in 13 races at LVMS. With the second-place finish, Stewart is tied for the lead with Kurt Busch in the point standings, but NASCAR officials said Stewart technically leads the standings by zero points because he wins a tie system that is determined by having the highest finish of the season.

Carl Edwards celebrates winning the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, his second victory at the track. Courtesy photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR.

Juan Pablo Montoya finished a close third and it was his first top-10 finish in five races at LVMS.

The victory was Edwards’ 19th career win and his third in the past five races dating back to Phoenix last November. It was also his second victory and third top-10 finish in seven races at LVMS.

Earnhardt notched his second straight top 10 and climbed from 17th to 10th in the series point standings.

The series is idle next weekend, but will return to action the following weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Below are photos and results of the race provided courtesy of NASCAR and Getty Images.

Paris Hilton waves to the sellout crowd at Las Vegas Motor Speedway before the start of the Kobalt Tools 400. Courtesy photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR.

The US Air Force Thunderbirds flyover Las Vegas Motor Speedway before the start of the Kobalt Tools 400. Courtesy photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images.

Matt Kenseth leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series field to the green flag to start the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Courtesy photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR.

Polesitter Matt Kenseth had to pit early in the Kobalt Tools 400 after suffering a flat tire. He was able to battle back for a 11th-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Courtesy photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR.

Tony Stewart had the fastest car for much of the race, leading a race-high 163 laps of the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Courtesy photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images.

Tony Stewart passes four-time Las Vegas Motor Speedway winner Jimmie Johnson, putting him a lap down. Johnson was able to earn his lap back and went on to finish 16th. Courtesy photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR.

Crew members push the 18 car of Kyle Busch through the garage after the engine blew on Lap 107 of the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Courtesy photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR.

Jeff Gordon is towed back to the garage after an accident on Lap 194 ended his Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Courtesy photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) and Marcos Ambrose both had successful days at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, finishing eighth and fourth respectively. Courtesy photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR.

After dominating much of the race, Tony Stewart was assessed a penalty for removing equipment from his pit stall on Lap 155 of the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Courtesy photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR.